Biography of Nicola Vaccaj

Alongside Pergolesi and Rossini, Vaccaj was born in the Marche region of Italy and completed his musical studies at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome, but he soon felt the call of the European capital of music, Naples, where he had lessons with Giovanni Paisiello. The musician from Tolentino divided himself between a career as an opera composer and a teacher of singing: his Practical Method of Italian Chamber Singing (Metodo pratico di canto italiano per camera) is still one important learning tools for singers. He wrote twenty works which were performed in the most important theaters, the most famous of which Romeo and Juliet, along with many romanze and much sacred music. He was also director of the Milan Conservatoire.